The Buick Skyhawk does 26.3 mpg combined (23 city, 33.2 highway), which works out to about $1,460 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.8L 4-cyl does 26.5 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 26.3 — a difference of $11 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Buick Skyhawk engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Buick Skyhawk ranges from 26.5 down to 26.3 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $11 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 23 / 33.5 | 1984–1986 | $1,449 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 23 / 33 | 1985–1989 | $1,460 |
What that actually costs
The Buick Skyhawk burns a gallon every 26.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 456 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.122 |
| Fuel per year | $1,460 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,300 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$34 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,367 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Buick Skyhawk gives up 10.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 33.2 out there against 23 in town, a 44% drop worth $513 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 23 mpg | $1,670 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 33.2 mpg | $1,157 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +10.2 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Skyhawk changed over the years
The Skyhawk peaked in 1988 at 27 mpg (23 city, 34 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1989 at 26 — 1 mpg apart, or $55 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1989 car does 26. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1988 | 23 / 34 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1987 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1986 | 23 / 34 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 1985 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 1984 | 23 / 33 | 1 | $1,477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Buick Skyhawk — 2 engines across 1984–1989. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,367. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Buick Skyhawk get?
26.3 mpg combined on average — 23 in the city and 33.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–1989.
How much does a Buick Skyhawk cost in fuel per year?
About $1,460 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,300 over five years, or 0.122 dollars a mile.
Which Skyhawk engine is the most economical?
The 1.8L 4-cyl at 26.5 mpg, against 26.3 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $11 a year.
Is the Skyhawk good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Skyhawk figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Buick Skyhawk is $2,367 against the $1,460 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 27 and 26 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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